Wild Reeds

Original title: Les roseaux sauvages

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

6.9K

YOUR RATING

Home Video Trailer from Strand Releasing

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Drama

The fates of two partners are divided.The fates of two partners are divided.The fates of two partners are divided.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

6.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 8 wins & 7 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
There are many references in the movie to "The O.A.S.," in conversation, and overheard on radio and television newscasts. OAS - or Organisation armée secrète, literally "Organization of the Secret Army" or "Secret Armed Organization," was a French nationalist terrorist organization during the Algerian War (1954-62), which ended in independence for Algeria in July 1962, which was not only the time setting for this movie, but the Algerian War was also the background conflict that propelled much of the plot of this film. Using armed struggle in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence, OAS's motto was "Algeria is French and will remain so" (L'Algérie est française et le restera).

Goofs
One of the songs featured at the party which Maïté and François go to after the movie is "Barbara Ann" by The Beach Boys, which was recorded and released in the fall of 1965, a full three years after the 1962 time setting for this movie.

Quotes
François Forestier: I'm like you, I'm queer, but I haven't met my soul-mate yet. I met someone who doesn't want me. I should give up. That would be smarter. But I'm not smart. I have no chance, but I can't give up. I don't get discouraged. We made love once. Just once. In the beginning. He doesn't want to anymore. Since then I'm like a thief. I steal brief moments... Once I held him tight on my bike. Another time, I slept near him. You have experience. Only you can help me. At my age, did this happen to you? When you liked a boy, what did you do? How did it work?
Monsieur Cassagne: Listen... It was so long ago... I don't want to disappoint you, but I've forgotten. I'm sorry. I have a client waiting. I have to go.

Alternate versions
Shorter TV version released under the title Tous les garçons et les filles de leur âge: Le chêne et le roseau (1994) (TV)

Connections
Featured in Cinéma, de notre temps: André Téchiné, après la Nouvelle Vague... (1993)

Soundtracks
Adagio for Strings
by Samuel Barber

I liked the movie even if I was left with the feeling that there was no real end to it (a common thing in French movies). It was superbly acted by four young comedians perfectly cast. The relations between them are ambiguous. Still, more depth could have been given to their characters and the story.

Nevertheless, there is an overall subtlety to the movie, something that makes it light even if the topics are not always light (Francois discovers he is gay and have some problems dealing with it, Henri is a pied noir in France at the end of the Algeria war and is in a delicate situation, not speaking about Serge who loses his brother to that same war and Maite who is somewhat oppressed by her mother who is a die hard communist militant).

It was very refreshing to see. You need to be familiar with the history of Algeria war and the tensions of that time though to fully follow. A film I would recommend to many people.